I was subjected to bullying / harassment by my Co-Ordinator, I reported to this to my Manager and HR, unfortunately as I suffer from major depression this was blamed for my 'over reaction'. Eventually I retired in April

My understanding of the issue is that qualified privilege also extends to HR and, where an organisation has them, Contact/Diversity Officers. Both groups should have been given this right as part of their role to provide people with information about their rights and/or to follow-up on allegations. An important condition of qualified privilege is that the conversations are confidential. HR, contact officers and managers who spread allegations to anyone not covered by qualified privilege could still be at risk of a defamation claim. Allegations made to HR or a CO must still be in good faith to avoid being defamatory.

Robyn - even though you have retired, your suffering from Depression should not have been used by the organisation to avoid liability for genuine workplace bullying. It might be worth your while to get professional advice (a lawyer and/or your former union, for example) immediately about any rights you may have in this case.

I'm been working in a place where my boss and supervisor are the most corrupted and bullying people both are friends and both cover each other, people leaving the job because of the management, we send complaints to human resources the head manager of my boss but nothing they all covered it, this is all corruption, when my manager and her friend should be taken to court but bullying is hard to prove, plus when you need a hand from any lawyer they can't help you that's why bosses are bullying the employee, so the person who has been bullied finish leaving the job or taking medication for depression and the guilty ones are happy doing more bullying. if a good lawyer can read my message please contact me here thanks...the bully is still on...